NSC Outdoor Adventures
Lairig Ghru
(Coylumbridge, Rothiemurchus, or Sugar Bowl car park to Linn of Dee)
Distance: 30km/19miles, 660m ascent
Walk Duration:
11hrs
Spaces: Maximum 10, minimum 3.
Notes: Extremely
Strenuous. Hillwalking gear required. Packed lunches and snacks required.
Maps: Landranger 36 & 43, Explorer 403 & 387
Scotways Route 181
This is
an iconic high level long distance route almost entirely in the
wilderness. Lairig is Gaelic for 'a pass between hills'. It is not to be
underestimated as despite not climbing any
mountains the high point is nearly 840m above sea level, and passes the
source of the River Dee. It passes through the scenic and very remote
gorge only 470m below the tops of Ben MacDui and Braeriach two of the three highest mountains in the
UK. It makes for a long single day walk but can easily be done as an overnight
expedition camping out. It can also be
combined with the Inverey to Dalmunzie route to form a 3 day 2 night or even 4 day
3 night expedition. The choice of start locations allows either of the
forest starts or more interestingly the traverse of the Chalamain Gap, itself over 700m asl, formed
as a glacial melt channel. This walk can be taken in either
direction. Very good 3 season or preferably 4 season boots are essential
as the path is very rough in places with lots of water and snow which can lie
well into and through the summer. You will need full hill-walking
gear. This is not a route for the faint hearted as there are no escape
options other than to return to the start.